Question 1

Describe three limitations of field research.

Accepted Answer

1. Limited generalizability: Field research often involves studying a specific group or location, which can limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population. This is because the findings may not be representative of other groups or locations.

2. Time-consuming and resource-intensive: Field research can be time-consuming and require a significant amount of resources, including funding, personnel, and equipment. This can make it difficult to conduct large-scale studies or replicate the research in different settings.

3. Ethical and logistical challenges: Field research can present ethical challenges, such as obtaining informed consent from participants and ensuring their privacy and confidentiality. Additionally, logistical challenges, such as access to the research site and coordinating with local authorities, can also pose limitations on the research process.

Question 2

Compare and contrast field experiments and laboratory experiments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of research?

Accepted Answer

Field experiments and laboratory experiments are two common types of research methods used in the social sciences and natural sciences. Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between the two depends on the research question and the resources available.

Field experiments are conducted in real-world settings, such as schools, workplaces, or communities. Researchers manipulate variables and observe the effects on participants in their natural environment. This allows for high external validity, as the results can be generalized to real-world situations. However, field experiments can be more difficult to control and may be subject to confounding variables that can affect the results.

On the other hand, laboratory experiments are conducted in a controlled environment, such as a research lab. Researchers have more control over the variables and can minimize the influence of confounding factors. This allows for high internal validity, as the results can be attributed to the manipulated variables. However, the artificial setting of a laboratory may limit the generalizability of the findings to real-world situations.

Advantages of field experiments include the ability to study behavior in natural settings, which can provide more realistic and applicable results. Field experiments also allow for the observation of long-term effects and the study of complex social interactions. However, field experiments can be more time-consuming and costly, and may be subject to ethical concerns related to the manipulation of variables in real-world settings.

Advantages of laboratory experiments include the ability to control extraneous variables and establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. Laboratory experiments also allow for the use of sophisticated equipment and precise measurements. However, laboratory experiments may lack ecological validity and may not accurately reflect real-world behavior.

In conclusion, both field experiments and laboratory experiments have their own strengths and weaknesses. Field experiments are better suited for studying real-world behavior and complex social interactions, but may be more difficult to control and subject to confounding variables. Laboratory experiments are better suited for establishing cause-and-effect relationships and controlling extraneous variables, but may lack ecological validity. The choice between the two methods depends on the research question and the specific goals of the study.

Question 3

Explain why a sample of participants in field research might not be representative of the population of interest. Give an example that illustrates these reasons.

Accepted Answer

A sample of participants in field research might not be representative of the population of interest for several reasons. One reason is sampling bias, where certain groups within the population are more likely to be included in the sample than others. This can occur if the researcher only recruits participants from a specific location or demographic, leading to an unbalanced representation of the population.

Another reason is non-response bias, where certain individuals within the population are less likely to participate in the research, leading to an incomplete or skewed sample. This can occur if the research requires voluntary participation and certain groups are less likely to volunteer, such as those with busy schedules or negative attitudes towards the research topic.

An example of this could be a field research study on the eating habits of college students. If the researcher only recruits participants from a single college campus, they may not capture the diversity of eating habits among college students from different backgrounds and locations. Additionally, if the study relies on voluntary participation, it may attract only those students who are more health-conscious or interested in nutrition, leading to a biased sample that does not accurately represent the population of college students as a whole.

Question 4

Explain the trade-offs that researchers must make when conducting field experiments compared with laboratory experiments.

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Question 5

Describe the laboratory-field experiment continuum. What factors define this continuum?

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Question 6

Describe the factors that researchers should consider when choosing a setting for a field study. What factors define a good setting?

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Question 7

What are the three dimensions of "publicness" of settings used in field research? Give an example of each of the dimensions.

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Question 8

Distinguish between the street theater and accosting strategies for implementing an independent variable in a field experiment.

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Question 9

Discuss the issues researchers must consider when evaluating the construct validity of the dependent measures used in a field experiment.

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Question 10

Describe the factors that researchers should evaluate when assessing the extent to which they have control over extraneous variables in field experiments.

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Question 11

Distinguish between a field experiment and a natural experiment.

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Question 12

What is a quasi-experiment and how is it similar to a natural experiment? In what important way does it differ from a natural experiment?

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Question 13

Describe how preexisting differences between the experimental and the control group can affect interpretation of a quasi-experiment.

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Question 14

What is analysis of covariance and when would it be used in the statistical analysis of a quasi-experiment?

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Question 15

Describe a study that uses a non-equivalent control group design. Be sure to explain how a high-quality control group would be selected.

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Question 16

Explain the problem of selection bias in a non-equivalent control group design.

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Question 17

What is a patched-up quasi-experiment? Why would a researcher use this design?

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Question 18

What are focal local controls and why are they used?

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Question 19

Why is it important to replicate laboratory research in a field setting?

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Question 20

Name three ways researchers can increase their confidence in the results of a non-equivalent control group design.

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Quiz 10: Field Research